Transmission profiles for nr

ABSTRACT

According to certain embodiments, a method by a wireless device is provided for performing logical channel prioritization (LCP) by a wireless device. The method includes selecting a set of logical channels based on one or more logical channel restrictions. The method further includes determining at least one logical channel of the set of logical channels to serve.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/227,303, filed on Dec. 20, 2018, which is a Continuation ofInternational Patent Application PCT/IB2018/052805, filed Apr. 23, 2018,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/489,093,filed Apr. 24, 2017 and entitled “Transmission Profiles For NR,” thedisclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to wireless communicationsand, more particularly, systems and methods for performing logicalchannel prioritization (LCP) for NR.

BACKGROUND

NR is the new 5G radio access technology currently undergoingstandardization in 3GPP. It features a wide range of frequencies andencompasses a wide range of services.

The wide range of services to support means that the physical layer canbe configured to for example support:

-   -   services requiring very low latency (e.g., Ultra-Reliable Low        Latency Communications, URLLC), possibly at the expense of power        consumption    -   services maximizing the bit rate (e.g., Enhanced Mobile        Broadband, eMBB) without caring so much of the latency.        There could also be other services, or subclasses of the above        services. Different service types will be mapped to different        logical channels according to their requirements, though the NR        specification may not use terms like eMBB and URLLC.

One of the functions of the MAC sublayer is multiplexing of logicalchannels to one MAC protocol data unit (MAC PDU) which is passed to thephysical layer for transmission. This is done by a process calledlogical channel prioritization (LCP). The various services of the systemare represented as logical channels to the MAC sublayer, hence LCP musttake the current configuration of the physical layer into considerationto ensure that the Quality of Service of the services is fulfilled.

In the downlink and where the scheduler and MAC multiplexing reside inthe same node, the gNodeB can handle the multiplexing of logicalchannels and setting the physical layer parameters in animplementation-specific manner and no specification impact is foreseen.

In the uplink and possibly the side link, where the scheduler and MACresides in different nodes, the scheduling grant received by the userequipment (UE) contains some of the physical-layer parameters such as,for example, modulation-and-coding schemes, and the set of resourceblocks to transmit upon, while the multiplexing of logical channels isdone according to a predefined rule identifying which parameters can beconfigured by RRC signaling. For each logical channel in an LTE device,a prioritized data rate is configured in addition to the priority value.The logical channels are then served in decreasing priority order up totheir prioritized data rate, which avoids starvation as long as thescheduled data rate is at least as large as the sum of the prioritizeddata rates. Beyond the prioritized data rates, channels are served instrict priority order until the grant is fully exploited or the bufferis empty. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates the prioritization of twological channels for three different uplink grants.

Certain challenges exist, however, since current approaches fail toprovide the LCP function with enough information to perform themultiplexing that fulfills Quality of Service requirements.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing problems with existing solutions, methods andapparatuses are disclosed to help determine which logical channels areserved. Specifically, a user equipment (UE) and associated methods aredisclosed. Additionally, a network node (e.g., gNB) and associatedmethods are also disclosed.

According to certain embodiments, a method by a wireless device isprovided for performing logical channel prioritization (LCP) by awireless device. The method includes determining a set of logicalchannels associated with a transmission profile and, based on thetransmission profile, determining at least one logical channel of theset of logical channels to serve.

According to certain embodiments, a wireless device is provided forperforming LCP. The wireless device includes processing circuitryoperable to determine a set of logical channels associated with atransmission profile and, based on the transmission profile, determineat least one logical channel of the set of logical channels to serve.

According to certain embodiments, a method for performing LCP by anetwork node is provided. The method includes associating a set oflogical channels with a transmission profile for prioritizing serving oflogical channels by a wireless device and configuring the wirelessdevice to serve the set of logical channels based on the transmissionprofile.

According to certain embodiments, a network node for performing LCP isprovided. The network node includes processing circuitry operable toassociate a set of logical channels with a transmission profile forprioritizing serving of logical channels by a wireless device andconfigure the wireless device to serve the set of logical channels basedon the transmission profile.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or moretechnical advantages. For example, certain embodiments may enable theMAC layer to serve logical channels on physical configurations such thatthe QoS requirements of the services can be fulfilled. Certainembodiments may have none, some, or all the recited advantages. Otheradvantages may be readily apparent to one having skill in the art.Certain embodiments may have none, some, or all the recited advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and theirfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates the prioritization of two logical channels for threedifferent uplink grant;

FIG. 2 illustrates using a transmission profile for performing logicalchannel prioritization (LCP) in an LTE framework, according to certainembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network in whichLCP may be performed, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example user equipment (UE) for performing LCP,according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method by a wireless device forperforming LCP, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary virtual computing device for performingLCP, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrate an example network node for performing LCP, accordingto certain embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method by a network node for performingLCP, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates another example virtual computing device forperforming LCP, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a communication system, according to certainembodiments, according to certain embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a host computer communicating via a base stationwith a user equipment over a partially wireless connection, according tocertain embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a method implemented in a communication system,according to certain embodiments; and

FIG. 13 illustrates another method implemented in a communicationsystem, according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments are described in FIGS. 1-13 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the variousdrawings.

According to certain embodiments, a transmission profile is introducedto inform a wireless device how to multiplex logical channels (LCHs) andsome layer 1 (L1) parameters for a transmission. The scheduling grantincludes information identifying which of the preconfigured transmissionprofiles that the wireless device is to use for the uplink transmission.

According to certain embodiments, each transmission profile may beassociated with a priority where transmissions scheduled with a higherpriority may preempt ongoing uplink transmissions of a lower priority.In various particular embodiments, the transmission profile may describethe configuration of the physical layer, for example, in terms of one ormore of the following:

-   -   an index (or identifier), unique for this transmission profile;    -   transmission power;    -   duration of the transmission on the physical layer in terms of,        for example, slots and/or OFDM symbols;    -   numerology such as, for example, subcarrier spacing;    -   a priority level or preemption indicator;    -   parameters controlling the multiplexing of LCHs such as, for        example, guaranteed bit rates for the different LCHs,        indications of which LCHs are allowed to be transmitted with a        profile, etc.;    -   power boosting (e.g., 0 dB, X dB, Y dB extra power relative to        the nominal transmission power); and    -   other suitable parameters relating to the physical layer.        However, the items listed above are used for exemplary,        non-limiting purposes. It will be appreciated that they may be        combined in any suitable fashion, and other factors, mappings,        or restrictions may also be used to describe the physical layer        in the transmission profile. Additionally, though the term        logical control channel (LCH) is used throughout this document,        the term is used as an example implementation. The solutions        described herein could also be applied to groups of logical        channels. Thus, the term ‘LCH’ may be replaced with ‘LCH group’        throughout the disclosure.

According to certain embodiments, a network node, which may include agNodeB (gNB) in a particular embodiment, configures a wireless device,which may include a user equipment (UE), with one or severaltransmission profiles. Using the index of the transmission profile, thetransmission profile can be easily referred to. According to certainembodiments, a default transmission profile can also be provided by thenetwork (or predefined in the specifications).

According to certain embodiments, the priority level or preemptionindicator may be used to determine which transmissions are allowed topreempt an ongoing transmission. For example, a scheduling grantpointing to a transmission profile with a higher priority level may beallowed to preempt an ongoing transmission with a lower priority level.In a particular embodiment, the index may also be used directly. Forexample, a predefined relation between index and priority may be used tolet transmission profiles with a higher index preempt transmissionsscheduled with a lower transmission profile index.

FIG. 2 illustrates using a transmission profile for performing logicalchannel prioritization (LCP), expanding on an LTE framework 200,according to certain embodiments. Existing LTE signaling is shown withdashed lines. New transmission profile signaling 202 for “TF selection”in NR is shown with a solid line. In a particular embodiment, thetransmission profile signaling may be a part of the scheduling grant.

In addition to the resource allocation, modulation scheme, etc., whichmay be termed ‘transmission format’, the scheduling grant may alsoinclude a ‘transmission profile index’.

According to certain embodiments, an association may be establishedbetween a logical channel and transmission profiles. For example, theremay be a mapping between transmission profile and logical channel. Alogical channel can be served by one or more transmission profiles and atransmission profile can serve one or more logical channels.

According to certain embodiments, the mapping may be done in at leasttwo different ways:

-   -   The configuration of the transmission profile contains a list of        logical channels, identified by their respective logical channel        ID        -   Additionally, for each logical channel a priority may be            included which describes in which order the channels are            served when scheduled with this transmission profile.        -   Additionally, for each logical channel a prioritized bit            rate may be included which describes the bit rate the            channel shall be served with this transmission profile.    -   The configuration of the logical channel contains a list of        transmission profiles, identified by their respective        transmission profile index, which can be further described:        -   The list of transmission profiles contains one or more            transmission profile index(es).        -   The list of transmission profiles is empty or is excluded            which means that the logical channel can be served using any            transmission profile configured in the UE.        -   The list of transmission profiles is empty or excluded which            means that the logical channel can be served using the            default transmission profile provided.        -   Additionally, for each entry in the list of transmission            profile a priority is included which describes in which            order the channel is served when scheduled with this            transmission profile.        -   Additionally, for each logical channel a prioritized bit            rate is included which describes the bit rate the channel            shall be served with this transmission profile.

However, it is generally recognized that the two primary methods ofmapping described above are used for illustrative purposes. It will beappreciated that the various sub-elements thereof may be combined in anysuitable manner.

With regard to the indication of the transmission profile to wirelessdevice 204, according to certain embodiments, the network node (e.g.,gNB) 206 may determine the configuration of the physical layer and hencethe transmission profile. In a particular embodiment, wireless device204 may be configured with a transmission profile for each transmissionthe wireless device 204 performs. The transmission profile can beconveyed to wireless device 204 in a number of ways, including, forexample:

-   -   The dynamic grant includes the transmission profile index. This        is not necessarily limited to an uplink grant, and can apply to,        e.g., sidelink grants.    -   The network node (gNB) 205 configures the UE 204 to use a        certain transmission profile for all future transmissions, or        until reconfigured.    -   The network node (gNB) 205 configures the UE 204 to use a        certain transmission profile for a subset of all future        transmissions (e.g. through association subframe number with        transmission profile), or until reconfigured. According to        certain embodiments, this could correspond to Semi-Persistent        Scheduling (SPS).    -   The transmission profile to use is given by the amount of data        awaiting transmission on different LCHs. For example, whenever        there is data on a high priority LCH a transmission profile        prioritizing that transmission and a power offset could be used.    -   The transmission profile to use is given by how long the data        has been awaiting transmission on different LCHs. For example,        if the age of the data is coming close to a predefined deadline,        a transmission profile prioritizing that transmission and a        power offset could be used.

These various methods of conveying/indicating a transmission profile toUE 204 are provided as illustrative examples. It will be appreciatedthat these methods may be combined in any suitable manner.

According to certain embodiments, the UE would perform the LCP using thetransmission profiles. Input may include:

-   -   Transmission profile for the upcoming transmission, called T    -   A set of logical channels with associations to transmission        profiles

An example of how the LCP can be performed follows:

-   -   Step 1: The UE determines a set of logical channels which can be        served by transmission profile T, e.g., whether T is included in        the logical channel configuration.    -   Step 2: From the set of logical channels determined in step 1,        the UE determines which logical channels to serve (i.e. from        which logical channels to take SDUs and put in the MAC PDU)        taking into account the channel-specific priority and/or        prioritized bit rate.

As discussed above, the solutions described herein may be implemented inany appropriate type of system using any suitable components. FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network in which LCP maybe performed, in accordance with certain embodiments. In the depictedexample embodiment of FIG. 3 , the wireless communication networkprovides communication and other types of services to one or morewireless devices 310. In the illustrated embodiment, the wirelesscommunication network includes one or more instances of network nodes300 that facilitate the wireless devices' access to and/or use of theservices provided by the wireless communication network. The wirelesscommunication network may further include any additional elementssuitable to support communication between wireless devices or between awireless device 310 and another communication device, such as a landlinetelephone.

Network 320 may comprise one or more IP networks, public switchedtelephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, widearea networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local areanetworks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan areanetworks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

The wireless communication network may represent any type ofcommunication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio networkor other type of system. In particular embodiments, the wirelesscommunication network may be configured to operate according to specificstandards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus,particular embodiments of the wireless communication network mayimplement communication standards, such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5Gstandards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as theIEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wirelesscommunication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, and/or ZigBee standards.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless network comprising a more detailed view ofnetwork node 300 and wireless device 310, in accordance with aparticular embodiment. For simplicity, FIG. 3 only depicts network 320,network nodes 300 and 300 a, and wireless device 310. Network node 300comprises processor 302, storage 303, interface 301, and antenna 301 a.Similarly, wireless device 310 comprises processor 312, storage 313,interface 311 and antenna 311 a. These components may work together inorder to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, suchas providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In differentembodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired orwireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wirelessdevices, relay stations, and/or any other components that may facilitateor participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether viawired or wireless connections.

As used herein, “network node” refers to equipment capable, configured,arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with awireless device 310 and/or with other equipment in the wirelesscommunication network that enable and/or provide wireless access to thewireless device 310. Examples of network nodes 300 include, but are notlimited to, access points (APs), in particular radio access points. Anetwork node 300 may represent base stations (BSs), such as radio basestations. Particular examples of radio base stations include Node Bs,and evolved Node Bs (eNBs). Base stations may be categorized based onthe amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, theirtransmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto basestations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro basestations. “Network node” also includes one or more (or all) parts of adistributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/orremote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads(RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with anantenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radiobase stations may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antennasystem (DAS).

As a particular non-limiting example, a base station may be a relay nodeor a relay donor node controlling a relay.

Yet further examples of network nodes 300 include multi-standard radio(MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radionetwork controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), basetransceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes,Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entities (MCEs), core network nodes(e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes(e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. More generally, however, network nodes 300may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable,configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide awireless device access to the wireless communication network or toprovide some service to a wireless device 310 that has accessed thewireless communication network.

As used herein, the term “radio node” is used generically to refer bothto wireless 310 devices and network nodes 300, as each is respectivelydescribed above.

As stated above, FIG. 3 depicts network node 300 as comprising processor302, storage 303, interface 301, and antenna 301 a. These components aredepicted as single boxes located within a single larger box. In practicehowever, a network node 300 may comprise multiple different physicalcomponents that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., interface301 may comprise terminals for coupling wires for a wired connection anda radio transceiver for a wireless connection). As another example,network node 300 may be a virtual network node in which multipledifferent physically separate components interact to provide thefunctionality of network node 300 (e.g., processor 302 may comprisethree separate processors located in three separate enclosures, whereeach processor is responsible for a different function for a particularinstance of network node 300). Similarly, network node 300 may becomposed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeBcomponent and a RNC component, a BTS component and a BSC component,etc.), which may each have their own respective processor, storage, andinterface components. In certain scenarios in which network node 300comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components),one or more of the separate components may be shared among severalnetwork nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's.In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and BSC pair, may be a separatenetwork node. In some embodiments, network node 300 may be configured tosupport multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments,some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate storage 303 for thedifferent RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the sameantenna 301 a may be shared by the RATs).

Processor 302 may be a combination of one or more of a microprocessor,controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signalprocessor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmablegate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, orcombination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable toprovide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 300components, such as storage 303, network node 300 functionality. Forexample, processor 302 may execute instructions stored in storage 303.Such functionality may include providing various wireless featuresdiscussed herein to a wireless device, such as wireless device 310,including any of the features or benefits disclosed herein.

Storage 303 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computerreadable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solidstate memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media,random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, orany other suitable local or remote memory component. Storage 303 maystore any suitable instructions, data or information, including softwareand encoded logic, utilized by network node 300. Storage 303 may be usedto store any calculations made by processor 302 and/or any data receivedvia interface 301.

Network node 300 also comprises interface 301 which may be used in thewired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data between networknode 300, network 320, and/or wireless device 310. For example,interface 301 may perform any formatting, coding, or translating thatmay be needed to allow network node 300 to send and receive data fromnetwork 320 over a wired connection. Interface 301 may also include aradio transmitter and/or receiver that may be coupled to or a part ofantenna 301 a. The radio may receive digital data that is to be sent outto other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection.The radio may convert the digital data into a radio signal having theappropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may thenbe transmitted via antenna 301 a to the appropriate recipient (e.g.,wireless device 310).

Antenna 301 a may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting andreceiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna301 a may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panelantennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, forexample, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used totransmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may beused to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particulararea, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used totransmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line.

As used herein, “wireless device” refers to a device capable,configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly withnetwork nodes 300 and/or another wireless device 310. Communicatingwirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signalsusing electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and/orother types of signals suitable for conveying information through air.In particular embodiments, wireless devices 310 may be configured totransmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction.For instance, a wireless device 310 may be designed to transmitinformation to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered byan internal or external event, or in response to requests from thenetwork. Generally, a wireless device 310 may represent any devicecapable of, configured for, arranged for, and/or operable for wirelesscommunication, for example radio communication devices. Examples ofwireless devices 310 include, but are not limited to, user equipment(UE) such as smart phones. Further examples include wireless cameras,wireless-enabled tablet computers, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE),laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, and/or wirelesscustomer-premises equipment (CPE).

As one specific example, a wireless device 310 may represent a UEconfigured for communication in accordance with one or morecommunication standards promulgated by the 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. Asused herein, a “user equipment” or “UE” may not necessarily have a“user” in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates therelevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intendedfor sale to, or operation by, a human user but that may not initially beassociated with a specific human user.

The wireless device 310 may support device-to-device (D2D)communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelinkcommunication and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communicationdevice.

As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT)scenario, a wireless device 310 may represent a machine or other devicethat performs monitoring and/or measurements and transmits the resultsof such monitoring and/or measurements to another wireless device and/ora network node. The wireless device 310 may in this case be amachine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referredto as a machine-type communication (MTC) device. As one particularexample, the wireless device 310 may be a UE implementing the 3GPPnarrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples ofsuch machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as powermeters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances, e.g.refrigerators, televisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. Inother scenarios, a wireless device may represent a vehicle or otherequipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on itsoperational status or other functions associated with its operation.

A wireless device 310 as described above may represent the endpoint of awireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as awireless terminal. Furthermore, a wireless device 310 as described abovemay be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobiledevice or a mobile terminal.

As depicted in FIG. 3 , wireless device 310 may be any type of wirelessendpoint, mobile station, mobile phone, wireless local loop phone,smartphone, user equipment, desktop computer, PDA, cell phone, tablet,laptop, VoIP phone or handset, which is able to wirelessly send andreceive data and/or signals to and from a network node, such as networknode 300 and/or other wireless devices. Wireless device 310 comprisesprocessor 312, storage 313, interface 311, and antenna 311 a. Likenetwork node 300, the components of wireless device 310 are depicted assingle boxes located within a single larger box, however in practice awireless device may comprises multiple different physical componentsthat make up a single illustrated component (e.g., storage 313 maycomprise multiple discrete microchips, each microchip representing aportion of the total storage capacity).

Processor 312 may be a combination of one or more of a microprocessor,controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signalprocessor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmablegate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, orcombination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable toprovide, either alone or in combination with other wireless device 310components, such as storage 313, wireless device 310 functionality. Suchfunctionality may include providing various wireless features discussedherein, including any of the features or benefits disclosed herein.

Storage 313 may be any form of volatile or non-volatile memoryincluding, without limitation, persistent storage, solid state memory,remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any othersuitable local or remote memory component. Storage 313 may store anysuitable data, instructions, or information, including software andencoded logic, utilized by wireless device 310. Storage 313 may be usedto store any calculations made by processor 312 and/or any data receivedvia interface 311.

Interface 311 may be used in the wireless communication of signalingand/or data between wireless device 310 and network node 300. Forexample, interface 311 may perform any formatting, coding, ortranslating that may be needed to allow wireless device 310 to send andreceive data from network node 300 over a wireless connection. Interface311 may also include a radio transmitter and/or receiver that may becoupled to or a part of antenna 311 a. The radio may receive digitaldata that is to be sent out to network node 301 via a wirelessconnection. The radio may convert the digital data into a radio signalhaving the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radiosignal may then be transmitted via antenna 311 a to network node 300.

Antenna 311 a may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting andreceiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna311 a may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panelantennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between 2 GHz and 66GHz. For simplicity, antenna 311 a may be considered a part of interface311 to the extent that a wireless signal is being used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example UE for performing LCP, according tocertain embodiments. As depicted, user equipment 400 is an examplewireless device such as wireless device 310 in FIG. 3 .

As depicted, UE 400 includes an antenna 405, radio front-end circuitry410, processing circuitry 415, and a computer-readable storage medium430. Antenna 405 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays andis configured to send and/or receive wireless signals and is connectedto radio front-end circuitry 410. In certain alternative embodiments,wireless device 400 may not include antenna 405, and antenna 405 mayinstead be separate from wireless device 400 and be connectable towireless device 400 through an interface or port.

The radio front-end circuitry 410 may comprise various filters andamplifiers, is connected to antenna 405 and processing circuitry 415,and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 405and processing circuitry 415. In certain alternative embodiments,wireless device 300 may not include radio front-end circuitry 410, andprocessing circuitry 415 may instead be connected to antenna 405 withoutradio front-end circuitry 410.

Processing circuitry 415 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF)transceiver circuitry, baseband processing circuitry, and applicationprocessing circuitry. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry,baseband processing circuitry, and application processing circuitry maybe on separate chipsets. In alternative embodiments, part or all of thebaseband processing circuitry and application processing circuitry maybe combined into one chipset, and the RF transceiver circuitry may be ona separate chipset. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of theRF transceiver circuitry and baseband processing circuitry may be on thesame chipset, and the application processing circuitry may be on aseparate chipset. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all ofthe RF transceiver circuitry, baseband processing circuitry, andapplication processing circuitry may be combined in the same chipset.Processing circuitry 415 may include, for example, one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or one or morefield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

In particular embodiments, some or all of the functionality describedherein as being provided by a wireless device may be provided by theprocessing circuitry 415 executing instructions stored on acomputer-readable storage medium 430. In alternative embodiments, someor all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry415 without executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium,such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments,whether executing instructions stored on a computer-readable storagemedium or not, the processing circuitry can be said to be configured toperform the described functionality. The benefits provided by suchfunctionality are not limited to the processing circuitry 415 alone orto other components of UE 400, but are enjoyed by the wireless device asa whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Antenna 405, radio front-end circuitry 410, and/or processing circuitry415 may be configured to perform any receiving operations describedherein as being performed by a wireless device. Any information, dataand/or signals may be received from a network node and/or anotherwireless device.

The processing circuitry 415 may be configured to perform anydetermining operations described herein as being performed by a wirelessdevice. Determining as performed by processing circuitry 415 may includeprocessing information obtained by the processing circuitry 415 by, forexample, converting the obtained information into other information,comparing the obtained information or converted information toinformation stored in the wireless device, and/or performing one or moreoperations based on the obtained information or converted information,and as a result of said processing making a determination.

Antenna 405, radio front-end circuitry 410, and/or processing circuitry415 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations describedherein as being performed by a wireless device. Any information, dataand/or signals may be transmitted to a network node and/or anotherwireless device.

Computer-readable storage medium 430 is generally operable to storeinstructions, such as a computer program, software, an applicationincluding one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or otherinstructions capable of being executed by a processor. Examples ofcomputer-readable storage medium 430 include computer memory (forexample, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), massstorage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (forexample, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or anyother volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/orinstructions that may be used by processing circuitry 415. In someembodiments, processing circuitry 415 and computer-readable storagemedium 430 may be considered to be integrated.

Alternative embodiments of UE 400 may include additional componentsbeyond those shown in FIG. 4 that may be responsible for providingcertain aspects of the UE's functionality, including any of thefunctionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary tosupport the solution described above. As just one example, UE 400 mayinclude input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces,devices and circuits. Input interfaces, devices, and circuits areconfigured to allow input of information into UE 400, and are connectedto processing circuitry 415 to allow processing circuitry 415 to processthe input information. For example, input interfaces, devices, andcircuits may include a microphone, a proximity or other sensor,keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or otherinput elements. Output interfaces, devices, and circuits are configuredto allow output of information from UE 400, and are connected toprocessing circuitry 415 to allow processing circuitry 415 to outputinformation from UE 400. For example, output interfaces, devices, orcircuits may include a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USBport, a headphone interface, or other output elements. Using one or moreinput and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, UE 400 maycommunicate with end users and/or the wireless network and allow them tobenefit from the functionality described herein.

As another example, UE 400 may include power source 435. Power source435 may comprise power management circuitry. Power source 435 mayreceive power from a power supply, which may either be comprised in, orbe external to, power source 435. For example, UE 400 may comprise apower supply in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connectedto, or integrated in, power source 435. Other types of power sources,such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used. As a further example, UE400 may be connectable to an external power supply (such as anelectricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as anelectrical cable, whereby the external power supply supplies power topower source 435. Power source 435 may be connected to radio front-endcircuitry 410, processing circuitry 415, and/or computer-readablestorage medium 430 and be configured to supply UE 400, includingprocessing circuitry 415, with power for performing the functionalitydescribed herein.

UE 400 may also include multiple sets of processing circuitry 415,computer-readable storage medium 430, radio circuitry 410, and/orantenna 405 for different wireless technologies integrated into wirelessdevice 400, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, orBluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may beintegrated into the same or different chipsets and other componentswithin wireless device 400.

Any steps or features described herein are merely illustrative ofcertain embodiments. It is not required that all embodiments incorporateall the steps or features disclosed nor that the steps be performed inthe exact order depicted or described herein. Furthermore, someembodiments may include steps or features not illustrated or describedherein, including steps inherent to one or more of the steps disclosedherein.

Any appropriate steps, methods, or functions may be performed through acomputer program product that may, for example, be executed by thecomponents and equipment illustrated in one or more of the figuresabove. For example, storage 403 may comprise computer readable means onwhich a computer program can be stored. The computer program may includeinstructions which cause processor 402 (and any operatively coupledentities and devices, such as interface 401 and storage 403) to executemethods according to embodiments described herein. The computer programand/or computer program product may thus provide means for performingany steps herein disclosed.

Any appropriate steps, methods, or functions may be performed throughone or more functional modules. Each functional module may comprisesoftware, computer programs, sub-routines, libraries, source code, orany other form of executable instructions that are executed by, forexample, a processor. In some embodiments, each functional module may beimplemented in hardware and/or in software. For example, one or more orall functional modules may be implemented by processors 412 and/or 402,possibly in cooperation with storage 413 and/or 403. Processors 412and/or 402 and storage 413 and/or 403 may thus be arranged to allowprocessors 412 and/or 402 to fetch instructions from storage 413 and/or403 and execute the fetched instructions to allow the respectivefunctional module to perform any steps or functions disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 500 by a wireless device 400 forperforming LCP, in accordance with certain embodiments. The methodbegins at step 510 when wireless device 400 determines a set of logicalchannels associated with a transmission profile. According to certainembodiments, the transmission profile may be received in a schedulinggrant from a network node.

In a particular embodiment, the transmission profile may identify aduration for the at least one logical channel of the set of logicalchannels to be served by wireless device 400. The duration may bemeasured as at least one of a number of slots and a number of OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). In another embodiment, thetransmission profile may identify a subcarrier spacing for the at leastone logical channel of the set of logical channels to be served bywireless device 400.

At step 520, wireless device 400 determines at least one logical channelof the set of logical channels to serve based on the transmissionprofile. In a particular embodiment, for example, wireless device 400may prioritize the at least one logical channel of the set of logicalchannels over at least one logical channel not included in the set oflogical channels. Additionally, in a particular embodiment, wirelessdevice, may determine that the transmission profile is included in alogical channel configuration. The logical channel configuration mayidentify a transmission profile to be applied to a particular logicalchannel within the set of logical channels.

In a particular embodiment, the transmission profile includes a list oflogical channel identifiers that uniquely identify a particular one ofthe set of logical channels. Wireless device 400 may determine the atleast one logical channel of the set of logical channels to serve basedon the transmission profile by determining that a logical channelidentifier associated with the at least one logical channel is includedin the list of logical channel identifiers in the transmission profile.

In a particular embodiment, the transmission profile may include achannel-specific priority for each logical channel in the set of logicalchannels and a prioritized bit rate for each logical channel in the setof logical channels.

In a particular embodiment, wireless device 400 may also be configuredto serve the at least one of the set of logical channels.

In certain embodiments, the method for performing LCP as described abovemay be performed by a computer networking virtual apparatus. FIG. 6illustrates an example virtual computing device 600 for performing LCP,according to certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, virtualcomputing device 600 may include modules for performing steps similar tothose described above with regard to the method illustrated anddescribed in FIG. 5 . For example, virtual computing device 600 mayinclude a first determining module 610, a second determining module 620,and any other suitable modules for performing LCP. In some embodiments,one or more of the modules may be implemented using processing circuitry415 of FIG. 4 . In certain embodiments, the functions of two or more ofthe various modules may be combined into a single module.

The first determining module 610 may perform certain of the determiningfunctions of virtual computing device 600. For example, in a particularembodiment, first determining module 610 may determine a set of logicalchannels associated with a transmission profile.

The second determining module 620 may perform certain other of thedetermining functions of virtual computing device 600. For example, in aparticular embodiment, second determining module 620 may determine atleast one logical channel of the set of logical channels to serve basedon the transmission profile.

Other embodiments of virtual computing device 600 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 6 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the wireless device's functionality,including any of the functionality described above and/or any additionalfunctionality (including any functionality necessary to support thesolutions described above). The various different types of wirelessdevices 400 may include components having the same physical hardware butconfigured (e.g., via programming) to support different radio accesstechnologies, or may represent partly or entirely different physicalcomponents.

FIG. 7 illustrate an example network node 700 for performing LCP,according to certain embodiments. As depicted, network node 700 isanother example network node such as network node 300 in FIG. 3 .Generally, network node 700 may be any type of radio network node or anynetwork node that communicates with a wireless device and/or withanother network node.

Network nodes 700 may be deployed throughout network 100 as a homogenousdeployment, heterogeneous deployment, or mixed deployment. A homogeneousdeployment may generally describe a deployment made up of the same (orsimilar) type of network nodes 115 and/or similar coverage and cellsizes and inter-site distances. A heterogeneous deployment may generallydescribe deployments using a variety of types of network nodes 115having different cell sizes, transmit powers, capacities, and inter-sitedistances. For example, a heterogeneous deployment may include aplurality of low-power nodes placed throughout a macro-cell layout.Mixed deployments may include a mix of homogenous portions andheterogeneous portions.

Network node 700 may include one or more of transceiver 710, processor720, memory 730, and network interface 740. In some embodiments,transceiver 710 facilitates transmitting wireless signals to andreceiving wireless signals from wireless device 310 and/or UE 400 (e.g.,via an antenna 750), processor 720 executes instructions to provide someor all of the functionality described above as being provided by anetwork node 700, memory 730 stores the instructions executed byprocessor 720, and network interface 740 communicates signals to backendnetwork components, such as a gateway, switch, router, Internet, PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), core network nodes or radio networkcontrollers, etc.

In certain embodiments, network node 700 may be capable of usingmulti-antenna techniques and may be equipped with multiple antennas andcapable of supporting MIMO techniques. The one or more antennas may havecontrollable polarization. In other words, each element may have twoco-located sub elements with different polarizations (e.g., 90-degreeseparation as in cross-polarization), so that different sets ofbeamforming weights will give the emitted wave different polarization.

Processor 720 may include any suitable combination of hardware andsoftware implemented in one or more modules to execute instructions andmanipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions ofnetwork node 700. In some embodiments, processor 720 may include, forexample, one or more computers, one or more central processing units(CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, and/orother logic.

Memory 730 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by a processor. Examples of memory 730 includecomputer memory (for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read OnlyMemory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removablestorage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk(DVD)), and/or or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitorycomputer-readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that storeinformation.

In some embodiments, network interface 740 is communicatively coupled toprocessor 720 and may refer to any suitable device operable to receiveinput for network node 700, send output from network node 700, performsuitable processing of the input or output or both, communicate to otherdevices, or any combination of the preceding. Network interface 740 mayinclude appropriate hardware (e.g., port, modem, network interface card,etc.) and software, including protocol conversion and data processingcapabilities, to communicate through a network.

Other embodiments of network node 700 may include additional componentsbeyond those shown in FIG. 7 that may be responsible for providingcertain aspects of the radio network node's functionality, including anyof the functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the solutionsdescribed above). The various different types of network nodes mayinclude components having the same physical hardware but configured(e.g., via programming) to support different radio access technologies,or may represent partly or entirely different physical components.Additionally, the terms first and second are provided for examplepurposes only and may be interchanged.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 by a network node 700 forperforming LCP, according to certain embodiments. The method begins atstep 810 when network node 700 associates a set of logical channels witha transmission profile for prioritizing serving of logical channels by awireless device 400. In a particular embodiment, the transmissionprofile includes a channel-specific priority for each logical channel inthe set of logical channels and a prioritized bit rate for each logicalchannel in the set of logical channels. In another embodiment, thetransmission profile may include a list of logical channel identifiersthat uniquely identify a particular one of the set of logical channels.18. In yet another embodiment, the transmission profile may additionallyor alternatively include a subcarrier spacing for the at least onelogical channel of the set of logical channels to be served by thewireless device.

At step 820, network node 700 configures wireless device 400 to servethe set of logical channels based on the transmission profile. In aparticular embodiment, for example, network node 700 may transmit thetransmission profile to the wireless device. In a particular embodiment,the transmission profile may be included in a scheduling granttransmitted to wireless device 400. In a particular embodiment, thetransmission profile may identify a duration for the at least onelogical channel of the set of logical channels to be served by thewireless device.

In another embodiment, a logical channel configuration may betransmitted to wireless device 400. The logical channel configurationmay identify an association between the transmission profile and the setof logical channels. Network node 700 may determine the channel-specificpriority of each logical channel in the set of logical channels based ona type of service or application associated with each respective logicalchannel.

In a particular embodiment, network node 700 may also receive, fromwireless device 400, uplink data served on at least one logical channelwithin the set of logical channels. The at least one logical channelwithin the set of logical channels may be prioritized over at least onelogical channel not included in the set of logical channels based on theat least one transmission profile.

In certain embodiments, the method for performing LCP as described abovemay be performed by a computer networking virtual apparatus. FIG. 9illustrates an example virtual computing device 900 for performing LCP,according to certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, virtualcomputing device 900 may include modules for performing steps similar tothose described above with regard to the method illustrated anddescribed in FIG. 8 . For example, virtual computing device 900 mayinclude at least one associating module 910, a configuring module 920,and any other suitable modules for performing LCP. In some embodiments,one or more of the modules may be implemented processing circuitry 720of FIG. 7 . In certain embodiments, the functions of two or more of thevarious modules may be combined into a single module.

The associating module 910 may perform the associating functions ofvirtual computing device 900. For example, in a particular embodiment,associating module 910 may associate a set of logical channels with atransmission profile for prioritizing serving of logical channels by awireless device 400.

The configuring module 920 may perform the configuring functions ofvirtual computing device 900. For example, in a particular embodiment,configuring module 920 may configure wireless device 400 to serve theset of logical channels based on the transmission profile.

Other embodiments of virtual computing device 900 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 9 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the network node's 115 functionality,including any of the functionality described above and/or any additionalfunctionality (including any functionality necessary to support thesolutions described above). The various different types of network nodes115 may include components having the same physical hardware butconfigured (e.g., via programming) to support different radio accesstechnologies, or may represent partly or entirely different physicalcomponents.

FIG. 10 illustrates a communication system, according to certainembodiments. As depicted, the communication system includes atelecommunication network 1010, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network,which comprises an access network 1011, such as a radio access network,and a core network 1014. The access network 1011 comprises a pluralityof base stations 1012 a, 1012 b, 1012 c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs orother types of wireless access points, each defining a correspondingcoverage area 1013 a, 1013 b, 1013 c. Each base station 1012 a, 1012 b,1012 c is connectable to the core network 1014 over a wired or wirelessconnection 1015. A first user equipment (UE) 1091 located in coveragearea 1013 c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, thecorresponding base station 1012 c. A second UE 1092 in coverage area1013 a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1012a. While a plurality of UEs 1091, 1092 are illustrated in this example,the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where asole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to thecorresponding base station 1012.

The telecommunication network 1010 is itself connected to a hostcomputer 1030, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software ofa standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server oras processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 1030 may beunder the ownership or control of a service provider or may be operatedby the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Theconnections 1021, 1022 between the telecommunication network 1010 andthe host computer 1030 may extend directly from the core network 1014 tothe host computer 1030 or may go via an optional intermediate network1020. The intermediate network 020 may be one of, or a combination ofmore than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediatenetwork 1020, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; inparticular, the intermediate network 1020 may comprise two or moresub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 10 as a whole enables connectivitybetween one of the connected UEs 1091, 1092 and the host computer 1030.The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection1050. The host computer 1030 and the connected UEs 1091, 1092 areconfigured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection1050, using the access network 1011, the core network 1014, anyintermediate network 1020 and possible further infrastructure (notshown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 1050 may be transparent inthe sense that the participating communication devices through which theOTT connection 1050 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlinkcommunications. For example, a base station 1012 may not or need not beinformed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communicationwith data originating from a host computer 1030 to be forwarded (e.g.,handed over) to a connected UE 1091. Similarly, the base station 1012need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplinkcommunication originating from the UE 1091 towards the host computer1030.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE,base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphswill now be described with reference to FIG. 11 . In a communicationsystem 1100, a host computer 1110 comprises hardware 1115 including acommunication interface 1116 configured to set up and maintain a wiredor wireless connection with an interface of a different communicationdevice of the communication system 1100. The host computer 1110 furthercomprises processing circuitry 1118, which may have storage and/orprocessing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 1118may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specificintegrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations ofthese (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer1110 further comprises software 1111, which is stored in or accessibleby the host computer 1110 and executable by the processing circuitry1118. The software 1111 includes a host application 1112. The hostapplication 1112 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user,such as a UE 1130 connecting via an OTT connection 1150 terminating atthe UE 1130 and the host computer 1110. In providing the service to theremote user, the host application 1112 may provide user data which istransmitted using the OTT connection 1150.

The communication system 1100 further includes a base station 1120provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 1125enabling it to communicate with the host computer 1110 and with the UE1130. The hardware 1125 may include a communication interface 1126 forsetting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with aninterface of a different communication device of the communicationsystem 1100, as well as a radio interface 1127 for setting up andmaintaining at least a wireless connection 1170 with a UE 1130 locatedin a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 6 ) served by the base station1120. The communication interface 1126 may be configured to facilitate aconnection 1160 to the host computer 1110. The connection 1160 may bedirect or it may pass through a core network (not shown in FIG. 6 ) ofthe telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediatenetworks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown,the hardware 1125 of the base station 1120 further includes processingcircuitry 1128, which may comprise one or more programmable processors,application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arraysor combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions.The base station 1120 further has software 1121 stored internally oraccessible via an external connection.

The communication system 1100 further includes the UE 1130 alreadyreferred to. Its hardware 1135 may include a radio interface 1137configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 1170 with a basestation serving a coverage area in which the UE 1130 is currentlylocated. The hardware 1135 of the UE 1130 further includes processingcircuitry 1138, which may comprise one or more programmable processors,application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arraysor combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions.The UE 1130 further comprises software 1131, which is stored in oraccessible by the UE 1130 and executable by the processing circuitry1138. The software 1131 includes a client application 1132. The clientapplication 1132 may be operable to provide a service to a human ornon-human user via the UE 1130, with the support of the host computer1110. In the host computer 1110, an executing host application 1112 maycommunicate with the executing client application 1132 via the OTTconnection 1150 terminating at the UE 1130 and the host computer 1110.In providing the service to the user, the client application 1132 mayreceive request data from the host application 1112 and provide userdata in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1150 maytransfer both the request data and the user data. The client application1132 may interact with the user to generate the user data that itprovides.

It is noted that the host computer 1110, base station 1120 and UE 1130illustrated in FIG. 11 may be identical to the host computer 3230, oneof the base stations 3212 a, 3212 b, 3212 c and one of the UEs 3291,3292 of FIG. 10 , respectively. This is to say, the inner workings ofthese entities may be as shown in FIG. 11 and independently, thesurrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 10 .

In FIG. 11 , the OTT connection 1150 has been drawn abstractly toillustrate the communication between the host computer 1110 and the useequipment 1130 via the base station 1120, without explicit reference toany intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via thesedevices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it maybe configured to hide from the UE 1130 or from the service provideroperating the host computer 1110, or both. While the OTT connection 1150is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions bywhich it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of loadbalancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 1170 between the UE 1130 and the base station1120 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments describedthroughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodimentsimprove the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1130 usingthe OTT connection 1150, in which the wireless connection 1170 forms thelast segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments mayimprove the determination of which logical channels are served, andthereby provide benefits such as improved quality of service.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoringdata rate, latency and other factors on which the one or moreembodiments improve. There may further be an optional networkfunctionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1150 between the hostcomputer 1110 and UE 1130, in response to variations in the measurementresults. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality forreconfiguring the OTT connection 1150 may be implemented in the software1111 of the host computer 1110 or in the software 1131 of the UE 1130,or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or inassociation with communication devices through which the OTT connection1150 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure bysupplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above orsupplying values of other physical quantities from which software 1111,1131 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguringof the OTT connection 1150 may include message format, retransmissionsettings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect thebase station 1120, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the basestation 1120. Such procedures and functionalities may be known andpracticed in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involveproprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer's 1110measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. Themeasurements may be implemented in that the software 1111, 1131 causesmessages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages,using the OTT connection 1150 while it monitors propagation times,errors etc.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 12will be included in this section. In an optional first step 1210 of themethod, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer.Additionally, or alternatively, in an optional second step 1220, the UEprovides user data. In an optional substep 1225 of the second step 1220,the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In afurther optional substep 1215 of the first step 1210, the UE executes aclient application which provides the user data in reaction to thereceived input data provided by the host computer. In providing the userdata, the executed client application may further consider user inputreceived from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which theuser data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third substep1230, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourthstep 1240 of the method, the host computer receives the user datatransmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of theembodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in acommunication system, in accordance with one embodiment. Thecommunication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UEwhich may be those described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 . Forsimplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 13will be included in this section. In an optional first step 1310 of themethod, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments describedthroughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from theUE. In an optional second step 1320, the base station initiatestransmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a thirdstep 1330, the host computer receives the user data carried in thetransmission initiated by the base station.

Certain aspects of the inventive concept have mainly been describedabove with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readilyappreciated by a person skilled in the art, embodiments other than theones disclosed above are equally possible and within the scope of theinventive concept. Similarly, while a number of different combinationshave been discussed, all possible combinations have not been disclosed.One skilled in the art would appreciate that other combinations existand are within the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, as isunderstood by the skilled person, the herein disclosed embodiments areas such applicable also to other standards and communication systems andany feature from a particular figure disclosed in connection with otherfeatures may be applicable to any other figure and or combined withdifferent features.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems andapparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. The components of the systems and apparatuses may beintegrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems andapparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performedusing any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or otherlogic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a setor each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methodsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Themethods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps maybe performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

1.-30. (canceled)
 31. A method for performing logical channelprioritization (LCP) by a wireless device, the method comprising:determining a set of logical channels, each logical channel associatedwith a respective transmission profile; and based on the transmissionprofiles, determining at least one logical channel of the set of logicalchannels to serve; wherein each transmission profile comprises arespective logical channel identifier, each of the logical channelidentifiers uniquely identifying a particular logical channel of the setof logical channels.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein determining theat least one logical channel of the set of logical channels to servebased on the transmission profiles comprises determining that a logicalchannel identifier associated with the at least one logical channel isincluded in a list of logical channel identifiers in the respectivetransmission profile.
 33. A wireless device for performing logicalchannel prioritization (LCP), the wireless device comprising: processingcircuitry operable to: determine a set of logical channels, each logicalchannel associated with a respective transmission profile; and based onthe transmission profiles, determine at least one logical channel of theset of logical channels to serve; wherein each transmission profilecomprises a respective logical channel identifier, each of the logicalchannel identifiers uniquely identifying a particular logical channel ofthe set of logical channels.
 34. The wireless device of claim 33,wherein to determine the at least one logical channel of the set oflogical channels to serve based on the transmission profiles, theprocessing circuitry is operable to determine that a logical channelidentifier associated with the at least one logical channel is includedin a list of logical channel identifiers in the respective transmissionprofile.
 35. The wireless device of claim 33, wherein to determine theat least one logical channel of the set of logical channels to serve,the processing circuitry is further operable to prioritize the at leastone logical channel of the set of logical channels over at least onelogical channel not included in the set of logical channels.
 36. Thewireless device of claim 33, wherein the respective transmission profilecomprises: a channel-specific priority for each logical channel in theset of logical channels; and a prioritized bit rate for each logicalchannel in the set of logical channels.
 37. The wireless device of claim33, wherein the processing circuitry is operable to serve the at leastone logical channel of the set of logical channels.
 38. The wirelessdevice of claim 33, wherein the respective transmission profileidentifies a duration for the at least one logical channel of the set oflogical channels to be served by the wireless device.
 39. The wirelessdevice of claim 33, wherein the respective transmission profileidentifies a subcarrier spacing for the at least one logical channel ofthe set of logical channels to be served by the wireless device.
 40. Thewireless device of claim 33, wherein the processing circuitry isoperable to receive, from a network node, a scheduling grant comprisingthe respective transmission profile.
 41. A method for performing logicalchannel prioritization (LCP) by a network node, the method comprising:associating each logical channel in a set of logical channels with arespective transmission profile for determining serving of at least onelogical channel by a wireless device; and transmitting the transmissionprofiles to the wireless device; wherein each transmission profilecomprises a respective logical channel identifier, each of the logicalchannel identifiers uniquely identifying a particular logical channel ofthe set of logical channels.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein therespective transmission profile for determining serving of the at leastone logical channel by the wireless device comprises a list of logicalchannel identifiers, the list of logical identifiers including a logicalchannel identifier associated with the at least one logical channel. 43.A network node for performing logical channel prioritization (LCP), thenetwork node comprising: processing circuitry operable to: associateeach logical channel in a set of logical channels with a respectivetransmission profile for determining serving of at least one logicalchannel by a wireless device; and transmit the transmission profiles tothe wireless device; wherein each transmission profile comprises arespective logical channel identifier, each of the logical channelidentifiers uniquely identifying a particular logical channel of the setof logical channels.
 44. The network node of claim 43, wherein therespective transmission profile for determining serving of the at leastone logical channel by the wireless device comprises a list of logicalchannel identifiers, the list of logical identifiers including a logicalchannel identifier associated with the at least one logical channel. 45.The network node of claim 43, wherein the processing circuitry isoperable to receive, from the wireless device, uplink data served on theat least one logical channel within the set of logical channels, the atleast one logical channel within the set of logical channels prioritizedover at least one logical channel not included in the set of logicalchannels based on the respective transmission profile.
 46. The networknode of claim 43, wherein the respective transmission profile istransmitted to the wireless device in a scheduling grant to the wirelessdevice.
 47. The network node of claim 43, wherein the respectivetransmission profile comprises: a channel-specific priority for eachlogical channel in the set of logical channels, and a prioritized bitrate for each logical channel in the set of logical channels.
 48. Thenetwork node of claim 47, wherein the processing circuitry is operableto determine the channel-specific priority of each logical channel inthe set of logical channels based on a type of service or applicationassociated with each respective logical channel.
 49. The network node ofclaim 43, wherein the respective transmission profile identifies aduration for the at least one logical channel of the set of logicalchannels to be served by the wireless device.
 50. The network node ofclaim 43, wherein the respective transmission profile identifies asubcarrier spacing for the at least one logical channel of the set oflogical channels to be served by the wireless device.